Three months later, a group of six people could be seen walking through the streets of the Dark City. Their armor was dirty, their faces showed clear signs of exhaustion, and as they moved stealthily, they avoided the Nightmare Creatures roaming the wide avenues of the city.
This cohort had been forged through countless battles they had survived throughout their journey in the labyrinth and even beyond it. However, nothing they had faced so far would help them understand the situation they were about to encounter.
The group continued walking toward a cathedral, completely unaware of this fact.
Their formation consisted of Nephis, Changing Star of the Immortal Flame, accompanied by her two companions throughout their entire journey on the Forgotten Shore: Cassie and Sunless. There were other members as well—Kai, Effie, and Caster. The six of them were most likely the strongest Sleepers in the Dark City. Or at least, that was what they believed.
Soon, the ruins of the magnificent cathedral stood before them. The members of the cohort stopped at a certain distance, observing the ancient temple with somber expressions. Their journey through the Dark City had been uneventful thanks to Effie's masterful guidance and the shadow that preceded her, helping her detect any danger in advance.
But the real danger lay at the end of the path, and now they had reached it.
Before the group could move any closer to the cathedral, another group entered their field of vision. This one consisted of hunters who had dared to walk through that infested area.
When their gazes met, the hunters' eyes widened. After a brief exchange of words among themselves—words Nephis couldn't hear—they began walking toward the cohort, which had stopped upon noticing them. Both groups had their weapons and armor summoned.
Nephis didn't understand what a group of hunters was doing in this area, but she didn't dwell on it. She had expected Gunglag to wait until they revealed themselves before acting, but it seemed she had been wrong.
The closer the hunters got, the more tension filled the air, until they finally stopped a few meters away.
Raising his voice slightly, one of them said,
"We have orders to take you to the castle on sight. Do not resist and come with us."
Nephis looked at them coldly and asked,
"Why?"
The same man repeated,
"We have orders to take you to the castle on sight. Do not resist and come with us."
After a brief pause, he added,
"We have orders not to answer any of your questions."
Staring at them, Nephis realized that these men were not affiliated with Gunglag. They were Sleepers who lived in the outer settlement.
What does this mean? she wondered.
Still looking ahead, Nephis noticed Sunny stepping to her side, ready for anything.
Seeing him there and then glancing at the cathedral ahead, she said,
"It looks like we'll have to wait to finish our deal."
Without taking his eyes off the hunters, Sunny replied,
"Looks like it."
She didn't have any concrete plan beyond waiting for them to take Effie and then challenging Gunglag herself. This changed a few things, but waiting two more days wouldn't really make a difference. With no better option—aside from fighting these Sleepers and continuing on their own—she simply accepted it.
The hunters didn't seem intent on fighting them, most likely because they knew they stood no chance. The difference in strength was obvious, and they were aware of it. If they crossed the line, Nephis could kill them whenever she wished.
Shrugging lightly, she said,
"Fine. We'll follow you."
And just like that, the deal between the cohort and Sunny would have to wait until Nephis confronted Gunglag.
The walk to the castle took only as long as necessary. With the hunters' experience, Effie's guidance, and Sunny's shadow, the journey was fairly easy.
When they arrived at the outer settlement, Nephis was surprised by how much it had changed. It was nothing like she remembered.
As they approached the point where the white path widened into a vast stone platform, the first thing she noticed was how controlled everything felt. A tall stone barricade had been erected at the edge of the settlement, its rough surface deliberately reinforced. Alert sentinels stood atop it, watching the hillcrest with unwavering focus.
There were fewer people than there should have been.
Most of those present were not settlers going about their lives, but guards. They occupied clearly defined positions, forming an invisible perimeter rather than a scattered defense. Each one wielded an invoked Memory weapon and wore sturdy armor. Their postures were rigid, their expressions devoid of hesitation.
Above them, the watchtower built atop their former refuge loomed over the settlement. Several archers were stationed there, bows lowered but ready, prepared to fire at the slightest provocation. Their presence turned the entire area into a fortified zone, not a place meant for living.
At first glance, the lower districts looked almost the same. But she quickly realized the similarity was only superficial.
There were no signs of recent battles, no bloodstains, no wounded bodies being dragged through the streets. The people she saw didn't seem like residents at all. They moved with purpose, not familiarity. Some carried crates of food, others hauled water, and a few inspected structures, doors, and defensive measures, as if performing assigned tasks.
Their faces were neutral.
Not fearful.
Not exhausted.
Not defiant.
Efficient.
From time to time, someone glanced toward the castle. Their expressions didn't change, and their steps didn't slow—but Nephis noticed it anyway. In their eyes, subtle but unmistakable, there was a silent glimmer of hope.
Another detail caught her attention.
Tied to the sleeves of many—both guards and workers—was a strip of purple cloth. Clean. Deliberate. Worn openly, without shame or reverence.
Before, that cloth had been white.
White had been a symbol tied to her, to the Changing Star of the Immortal Flame, to the belief that she represented something greater.
This color did not belong to her.
When they fully entered the outer settlement, the faces of the Sleepers lit up upon seeing the cohort, smiles spreading across their expressions. The members of the cohort all noticed it. Their eyes didn't shine with admiration, but there were no signs of hostility either.
As they moved deeper into the settlement, the Sleepers began applauding as they welcomed them. Moments later, however, they turned away and resumed their tasks.
Seeing such a drastic change, Kai asked,
"What happened while we were gone?"
The hunters guiding them repeated,
"We have orders not to answer any questions."
Hearing that, Sunny and Nephis exchanged a glance. They both understood the message perfectly.
Something is wrong.
Caster decided to intervene.
"What happened to Gunglag for things to change this drastically?"
The hunters glanced at him but didn't respond, continuing to walk without a word.
That was when Effie snapped, her tone sharp and threatening.
"We spent three months in the labyrinth without knowing anything. The least you can do is answer us!"
One of the hunters, who hadn't spoken until then, stopped for a moment and said calmly,
"Everything you want to know will be answered in the castle. Don't make this harder than it already is."
Then he continued walking.
Nephis and Sunny exchanged another look, but this time their attention wasn't on the guards or the argument. It was on the person walking a few steps behind them.
Cassie.
She had been strangely quiet ever since they arrived in the Dark City. Noticing this, Nephis slowed her pace and moved to her side.
"Cassie, are you okay?" she asked softly.
Cassie startled slightly, as if caught off guard.
"Yes. I'm just a little tired, that's all."
Nephis didn't believe her, but this wasn't the moment to push. When Cassie was ready, she would tell her what was wrong or so Nephis hoped.
As they climbed the stairs toward the castle, she noticed an important detail.
The collection of skulls that had once hung above the castle gates was gone.
Upon entering the castle, they realized another drastic change. The castle was full of people. The hallways were crowded with individuals going about their daily lives, their faces completely calm. That did not go unnoticed by the cohort.
When they reached the throne room, the hunters nodded to the guards and turned away. The guards knocked on the door three times, and one of them announced,
"The guests have arrived."
At the word guests, Effie let out a small laugh.
Seconds later, a voice she recognized spoke from inside the room.
"Enter."
The doors began to open, and the guards gestured for them to go in. They entered one by one—Nephis first, then Sunny, Effie, Kai, Caster, and finally Cassie.
Inside, the room was the same as before, with only one difference: now only two people stood at either side of the throne.
To the right of the throne stood a woman with her hands clasped behind her back. She wore a simple, tailored red dress that highlighted her elegant, well-proportioned figure. Her features were delicate and precise, her beauty evident even without expression. Her smooth, uniform gray skin made her stand out even more, giving her an otherworldly presence.
Nephis recognized her. It was Seishan, her confidant within the castle.
Her gaze then shifted to the other figure, and the moment she did, she felt an immediate, strange connection. From the slight tension that rippled through the girl's body, Nephis knew she wasn't the only one who felt it.
That's strange, she thought.
The young woman had balanced, defined features and a calm but firm presence. Her long, pale blond hair fell loosely over her shoulders, strangely soft in texture. Her intense yellow eyes watched them with measured attention. Two black horns protruded from the sides of her head, impossible to ignore.
She wore a white dress and, like Seishan, stood with her hands behind her back, completely still.
After a few seconds of exchanged glances, Nephis reached a conclusion.
She's a Dreamspawn.
Once all members of the cohort had entered the room, complete silence followed.
They positioned themselves before the throne in a simple formation. Nephis stood at the center, Sunny to her right and Cassie to her left. Effie stood beside Cassie, Kai beside Sunny, and Caster next to Effie.
A few seconds of uncomfortable silence passed.
Nephis looked at Seishan again. She had too many questions: what she was doing there, whether she had betrayed them, what role she now played in the castle. Her expression gave nothing away.
Then Nephis looked at the girl in white. She was certain she didn't know her. Her eyes lingered on the black horns and her rigid posture identical to Seishan's, yet different in a way Nephis couldn't quite identify.
After several seconds of silence, Sunny grew bored and asked,
"So… what's going on here?"
The Dreamspawn looked him up and down, then stared at Sunny's shadow for a few seconds. Finally, she raised her gaze and said calmly,
"Don't worry. He'll arrive soon."
Just as she said that, the doors opened again, and a new set of footsteps echoed through the hall. They were calm, steady, striking the stone floor with quiet confidence.
Five members of the cohort turned instinctively to look, but Seishan's voice cut through the motion.
"Eyes forward," she said in a dry tone that allowed no questions.
Sunny and Effie hesitated, but eventually complied, staring straight ahead.
Hearing this, the newcomer spoke with a playful tone.
"There's no need to be so dramatic, Seishan."
At the sound of his voice, Nephis noticed Cassie's body tremble slightly. That was when the new figure entered her field of vision.
He was tall, with a slender build. His pale blond hair was tied neatly back despite everything. His skin was pale and utterly flawless, not a single mark visible, as if the battle he had just endured had never touched him.
His golden eyes calmly scanned the room.
The black armor covering him was stained with blue blood, still fresh in some places. It wasn't damaged or broken, but it was slowly beginning to dematerialize, fragment by fragment. With each step he took, it faded further, until it vanished completely.
In its place remained a much more casual outfit. Simple. Functional. Chosen for comfort rather than appearance.
The figure advanced toward the throne without haste.
His footsteps echoed clearly in the silent hall, and no one dared to speak as he approached. There was no tension in his posture, no open hostility, only absolute, tranquil confidence.
When he reached the throne, he sat down.
He shifted slightly to the right, resting his elbow on the armrest and bringing his hand to his jaw, adopting a relaxed pose, as if observing a familiar scene. A genuine smile appeared on his face, free of mockery or arrogance.
Nephis took a second longer than usual to process it.
At first, she struggled to recognize him. Something about his bearing, his calm, didn't quite match the image in her memory. But the longer she watched him, the clearer the pieces became.
Then she understood.
Arthur Leywin.
From the corner of her eye, she noticed Sunny had recognized him as well.
Still smiling, Arthur spoke calmly.
"Sorry for the delay. A Fallen Beast was roaming near an important area, and I had to deal with it."
He paused for a few seconds, his golden eyes moving across the room, briefly resting on each person.
"Nephis, Changing Star of the Immortal Flame Clan. Sunless. Effie, Pathfinder, three years in the Forgotten Shore. Kai, Night&Gale, two and a half years in the Forgotten Shore. Caster of the Han Li Clan. And finally, Cassie."
His smile softened slightly.
"It's good to see you all safe and sound."
Nephis stepped forward without hesitation.
"What is the meaning of all this?"
Arthur tilted his head, amused.
"A hello, long time no see, would be nice, wouldn't it?"
Before the tension could rise further, Effie jumped in without any filter.
"Hey… do you guys know this guy? Oh my god, I'm drooling just looking at him."
Silence fell instantly.
Everyone—absolutely everyone—turned to look at her.
Sunny was the first to speak, frowning.
"Yes. He was at the academy with us."
Kai blinked, surprised.
"Then he came with you during the same Winter Solstice?"
Caster stepped forward, studying Arthur.
"You weren't in the castle. Not in the outer settlement either. Were you what… five or six months inside the labyrinth?"
Arthur smiled a little wider.
"That's a very good question. Unfortunately, I'm not going to answer it."
He settled more comfortably, his elbow still resting on the armrest.
"Now, I'd like to know what your plan is. I've deduced some things on my own, but I'd like to hear it properly."
Nephis stepped forward again.
"And why should we answer you if you won't answer us?"
Before Arthur could respond, Cassie grabbed Nephis by the arm and pulled her back while stepping forward herself.
"Can I assume you found my signal?"
Arthur looked at her and took a few seconds before answering.
"Yes. I didn't know who it might be or what to expect, but now that I know it was you… thank you."
Sunny raised an eyebrow.
"What you made me write on the platform was that a message for him?"
Cassie nodded.
"Yes. I had a vision. In it, a figure ended up on that platform. I didn't know who it would be, but I had my suspicions."
Sunny stared at her.
"So you knew all this was going to happen and didn't tell us?"
Cassie shook her head calmly.
"In my vision, the figure wasn't clear. I didn't know it would be Art. But I knew it was someone important. That's why I asked you to write the message."
When she said Art, several eyebrows lifted at once.
Arthur, meanwhile, was smiling.
Effie broke the moment.
"Art? You know this beauty? I mean—handsome—uh—person?"
Arthur let out a soft laugh.
"Yes. We've known each other for many years."
Then his expression refocused.
"But let's get back to what matters."
At that moment, the doors opened again.
Eleven handmaidens entered silently, carrying nine chairs and a massive table. They moved with speed and precision, arranging everything before the throne. When they finished, Arthur gestured for them to sit and get comfortable.
Effie glanced around.
"And the food?"
A voice answered naturally.
"It'll be here shortly."
Sylvie.
Arthur nodded, satisfied.
"For now… let's hear your plan."
Nephis spoke without sitting, her tone threatening.
"Before that, it's time you answered our questions."
Arthur looked at her and calmly sat down, never breaking eye contact. Sylvie answered in his place.
"I'll handle your questions. My name is Sylvie."
All eyes turned to her, and after a few seconds, Nephis sat down. She was about to speak when Effie interrupted.
"Hey, not to be rude, but… why do you have horns?"
Sylvie raised a hand to them.
"What? Don't you like them?"
Effie scratched the back of her neck. "They actually suit you! But… what are you exactly? Humans don't have horns."
She tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"Well… some do, but not literally." And she laughed.
Sylvie hesitated for a few seconds before answering.
"To be honest… I don't know exactly what I am."
Nephis looked at her and said,
"You are a Dreamspawn."
Sylvie looked at her, surprised for a brief moment, then nodded.
Sunny frowned.
"A what?"
He turned to Nephis.
"And how do you know that?"
Nephis replied without hesitation.
"A Dreamspawn is a being that exists on the boundary between nightmare and reality, belonging to both worlds at the same time."
No one spoke for a moment, but everyone noticed she hadn't answered Sunny's second question.
Then Nephis asked again.
"Where were you born?"
"In the Dream World."
Nephis said nothing more, but the thought formed clearly in her mind.
Like Asterion.
Kai broke the silence.
"Then… how are you planning to go to the Waking World? You don't have a physical body there."
Arthur spoke before Sylvie could. "We already know the method, thanks to Seishan."
He waved his hand casually.
"It's not a problem."
Sunny felt a clear sense of unease. A method to create a physical body in the Waking World?
Nephis took control of the conversation again.
"Gunglag."
Seishan answered without hesitation.
"Dead."
Nephis slowly turned to Kai.
He watched her for a moment, then nodded.
Nephis looked forward again.
"And the lieutenants?"
Sylvie answered calmly.
"Harus, dead. Tessai, dead. Kido and Gemma, alive."
Once again, Nephis looked at Kai.
Another nod.
"Who killed them?"
Sylvie and Seishan exchanged a brief glance.
"Arthur."
They said it at the same time.
Kai visibly paled.
"It's… it's true."
The expressions in the room shifted instantly. Shock, disbelief, tension. Everyone reacted, except Nephis. Her face didn't change.
She looked at Seishan.
"Did you help him?"
"Yes, but he had already killed Harus before even reaching the Castle."
Arthur spoke up.
"It's true."
He adjusted himself slightly.
"When we arrived at the Dark City about three months ago, we ran into Harus in a remote area away of the castle. He asked if we were part of your cohort." His smile tightened slightly.
"We fought. You already know the outcome."
Caster frowned.
"Three months ago?" He looked at the others. "You arrived just when we left for the Hollow Mountains."
He looked back at Arthur and Sylvie.
"Does that mean it took you nearly six months to reach the Dark City?"
Sylvie nodded.
"Yes."
Before anyone could say anything else, the doors opened once more.
The handmaidens returned, this time bringing the food, which was served in silence.
The table quickly filled with plates, trays, and overflowing dishes. There were meats and vegetables in abundance. Different cuts of meat, each from a different Nightmare Creature, recognizable by their texture, color, and thickness. All the meat was roasted, as were the vegetables, releasing a rich aroma that filled the throne room.
To drink, there was water… and a thick juice with the flavor of a vegetable Sunny couldn't recognize.
But more than the variety, what truly stood out were the quantities.
It was overwhelming.
Sunny froze for a few seconds, staring at the table with wide eyes. He had never seen so much food in one place. Not in the Waking World, and certainly not in the Dream World.
Then he stopped thinking and started devouring everything within reach.
No one spoke during the meal. Everyone was too busy eating. Still, from time to time, one of the cohort members cast a discreet glance toward the other trio.
Nephis watched all three of them equally, silent and unreadable.
Caster, on the other hand, never took his eyes off Arthur. His expression was a mix of concern and judgment, as if he were trying to measure something he couldn't quite understand.
Sunny and Effie were completely absorbed in the food, attacking the dishes without any restraint. They didn't say a single word.
Kai and Seishan ate quietly, with elegance. In Kai's case, it was clearly the result of his training as an idol. For Seishan, it was the upbringing of a Legacy from a great clan like the Song Clan.
Cassie remained silent. Anyone watching closely could notice that her blindfold was slightly darker around her eyes, just two barely perceptible shades. She didn't speak, didn't react, and barely touched her food.
Arthur and Sylvie, meanwhile, were conversing mentally, exchanging quick, silent impressions about everything that had happened.
That was when Sylvie alerted Arthur that something was wrong with Cassie.
She had been quiet from the beginning—with the exception of that initial moment. Something wasn't right. He didn't know what was happening to her, but the unease settled heavily in his chest.
I'll have to talk to her later, he thought.
When the meal came to an end, Nephis finally spoke.
She agreed to share her plan.
In four days, they would face the Lord of the Dead, a Fallen Tyrant. The goal was to obtain the final Shard Memory needed to begin the Siege of the Crimson Spire. The idea of waiting nearly three more months for the Winter Solstice was rejected, as waiting that long would reduce the number of Sleepers in the Dark City more than desired.
Through the methods Arthur had implemented, casualties had decreased, but they still occurred. At present, there were around seven hundred Sleepers in the castle.
After that, each member of the cohort was assigned a private room. A handmaiden guided them to their respective quarters.
As the sky darkened and night fell over the Dark City, the throne room was left almost empty.
Only three people remained.
Arthur.
Sylvie.
Cassie.
Noticing this, Sylvie quickly made an excuse to leave and quietly exited the room, leaving the two of them alone.
Silence filled the space, but Arthur was the first to speak.
"I noticed you were acting strange all day."
Cassie nodded slowly. "Yes." After a brief pause, she added, "There's something important I need to tell you."
As she was about to continue, Arthur interrupted her.
"Wait."
Cassie lowered her brows slightly but didn't question it. Arthur had expanded his aether sense to encompass the entire room, but that didn't mean someone couldn't be listening from outside.
"Let's go to my room instead. Somewhere more private, where no one will be able to hear us."
Cassie nodded, and Arthur guided her there, just as he had many times during their two weeks at the academy. When they arrived, he opened the door and led her inside, motioning for her to sit on the bed. He closed the door behind them and sat on the desk chair, giving her space.
Then Arthur remembered something. It embarrassed him a little, but it was necessary.
Taking a deep breath, he said,
"Before you tell me, there's something I want to give you. Give me your hand."
Cassie didn't quite understand, but she raised her hand anyway. Arthur summoned a Memory, and a second later, a completely colorless ring lay in his palm. Using his other hand to hold hers, he guided the ring onto the ring finger of her left hand.
Cassie flinched slightly and brought her other hand to her mouth. A blush spread across her cheeks, tinting them pink.
The silence that followed was intense. Cassie didn't know how to react, and Arthur was consumed by embarrassment. Eventually, she broke the silence.
"Arthur… what… what does this mean?"
Her voice was so soft it was almost impossible to hear.
He scratched the back of his neck, looking away.
"It's a Memory that I… I got some time ago. It just lets two people know that the other is still alive while both are wearing it. They only break when one of them dies."
He took a breath before adding,
"I just thought… maybe you'd like to have it?"
Cassie let out a small sigh and composed herself, then asked with a mischievous tone,
"Oh… and here I thought you were proposing to me again." She emphasized the word proposing.
Arthur looked back at her and saw that she was smiling. "As if!"
Then he added,
"It's just a promise that we'll both stay alive, okay?"
Smiling even more brightly, Cassie said simply,
"That sounds good. I accept."
Wanting to change the subject quickly, Arthur returned to what she had wanted to tell him earlier.
"Now that that's settled… what was it you wanted to tell me?"
Cassie's expression changed instantly. Her smile vanished, and her hands clenched the bedsheets tightly.
Arthur couldn't help but think:
That's not good.